Drop Prevention Tool Holsters

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, tool holster includes a body having a front side and a rear side, a tool support element attached to the front side of the body, the tool support being adapted to support a tool, a retractor securing element defining a pocket in which the retractor can be secured, the pocket having a first opening that is large enough to enable the retractor to pass and an opposed second opening that is too small to enable the retractor to pass but large enough for a tether of the retractor to pass, and means for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. Nos. 61/428,084, 61/428,062, 61/428,131, 61/428,108,and 61/428,096 each filed Dec. 29, 2010, and each of which being herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Workers, such as construction workers, scaffold workers, iron workers,and maintenance workers often carry tools with them so that they can bequickly accessed. For example, many such workers wear tool belts thathave holsters that are designed to hold tools when they are not in use.Because the tools are supported on the worker's person, the worker neednot return to a tool box when a tool is needed on the work site.

In some situations, a tool carried by the worker may fall out of itsholster. For instance, if the worker is a scaffold worker, a tool mightfall out of its holster as the worker climbs about on the scaffolding.In other situations, the worker may simply drop the tool after havingremoved the tool from its holster. In either case, it is inconvenientfor the worker to have to retrieve a dropped tool. Moreover, a fallingtool can injure other workers at the work site.

From the above discussion, it can be appreciated that it would bedesirable to have a means for preventing tools from dropping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to thefollowing figures. Matching reference numerals designate correspondingparts throughout the figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1A is a view of a user wearing a first embodiment of a dropprevention tool holster.

FIG. 1B is a view of a user holding a tool tethered to the dropprevention tool holster of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drop prevention toolholster of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 3 is a view of a user wearing a second embodiment of a dropprevention tool holster.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the drop prevention toolholster of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a dropprevention tool holster.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster ofFIG. 5A after assembly.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a drop preventiontool holster.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a drop preventiontool holster.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a drop preventiontool holster.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a dropprevention tool holster.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of a dropprevention tool holster.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a dropprevention tool holster.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster ofFIG. 11A with a tool shown supported by the holster.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment of a dropprevention tool holster.

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster ofFIG. 12A with a tool shown supported by the holster.

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of the drop prevention tool holster ofFIG. 12A with retaining strap of the holster shown in an alternativeposition.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment of a dropprevention tool holster.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As described above, it would be desirable to have a means for preventingtools from dropping. Disclosed herein are drop prevention tool holstersthat are specifically adapted to retain tools that either fall out oftheir holsters or that are dropped by the user. In some embodiments, thetool holsters each comprise a tool support element for supporting a toolon the holster as well as a retractor securing element for securing aretractor to the holster. The retractor, which can be an independentcomponent, includes a biased, retractable tether that attaches to thetool. If the tool either falls out of the holster or is dropped by theuser, the tether prevents the tool from falling more than a few feetfrom the holster. Operating in this manner, the tool holster can be saidto provide fall protection for tools. In some embodiments, the holstercan be attached to a harness or a belt worn by the user.

In the following disclosure, various embodiments are described. It is tobe understood that those embodiments are example implementations of thedisclosed inventions and that alternative embodiments are possible. Allsuch embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of thisdisclosure.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a drop preventiontool holster 10. FIGS. 1A and 1B show the tool holster 10 as worn by auser. In the example of those figures, the user is a worker, such as ascaffold or construction worker, who is wearing a body harness 12 thatprovides fall protection to the user, for example when the user isclimbing on a structure that is high off of the ground. The harness 12includes multiple straps, which are constructed of a strong, flexiblematerial such as nylon. In the illustrated example, the harness 12includes two opposed vertical torso straps 14 that wrap around theuser's shoulders and torso like suspenders, a horizontal chest strap 16that extends between and connects to the two torso straps, andhorizontal thigh straps 18 that wrap around the user's thighs. As isshown in the figures, the torso straps 14 extend down along the user'storso and connect to the thigh straps 18. In the example of FIGS. 1A and1B, the tool holster 10 is attached to one of the torso straps 14. As isdescribed below, the tool holster 10 remains in the position shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B because the holster is at least attached to the torsostrap 14 at a position above the chest strap 16 and is thereforesupported by the chest strap.

FIG. 2 illustrates the construction of the tool holster 10 in greaterdetail. As is shown in FIG. 2, the tool holster 10 includes a generallyflat substrate or body 20. In the example of FIG. 2, the body 20 hasfront side 22, a back side 24, and a generally rectangular shape havinga length that is longer than the width. The body 20 can be made of anysuitable material. In some embodiments, the body 20 is made of a durablefabric that is composed of natural and/or synthetic fibers. By way ofexample, the fabric can be a nylon fabric or a cotton canvas. As afurther example, the fabric can be a CORDURA® fabric. When a fabric isused, the fabric can be folded back on and secured to itself either bystitching, adhesive, or bonding to provide greater thickness andstructural integrity to the body 20. In other embodiments, the body 20is made of a non-porous plastic sheet material, such as vinyl sheeting.

Regardless of its construction, the body 20 supports various othercomponents of the tool holster 10. These other components include a toolsupport element 26 in the form of a horizontal strap of material that isattached to the front side 22 of the body 20. In some embodiments, thesupport element 26 is adapted to support a scaffold wrench, such as thescaffold wrench 28 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The support element 26 isconstructed of a relatively stiff, durable material so as to be able toadequately support the weight of the scaffold wrench 28. In someembodiments, the support element 26 is a leather strap. Irrespective ofthe material from which it is constructed, the support element 26attached to the body 20 at each of its ends. In some embodiments, theends of the support element 26 are stitched, adhered, or bonded to thebody 20. Irrespective of the manner in which the support element 26 isattached to the body 20, the support element forms an opening throughwhich the handle of the scaffold wrench 28 can pass. When the handle ofthe wrench 28 is passed through the opening formed by the supportelement 26, the wrench is supported by the holster, as is illustrated inFIG. 1A.

With further reference to FIG. 2, also attached to the front side 22 ofthe body 20 is a retractor securing element 30 that is adapted to securea retractor 31 to the tool holster 10. As is described below, theretractor 31 can be a conventional retractor having an extendible tetherthat is biased by an internal spring so as to automatically retractwithin the body of the retractor when a pulling force is not applied tothe tether. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the securing element 30comprises a generally flat substrate or body 32 that, like the body 20has front side 34, a back side 36, and a generally rectangular shape,although the width of the body 32 is wider than the length. Like thebody 20, the body 32 can be made of a durable fabric or a non-porousplastic sheet material. In some embodiments, the body 32 is brightlycolored so as to be highly visible. The body 32 can be, for example,stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 20.

Attached to the front side 34 of the body 32 of the securing element 30is an outer member 38 that, together with the body, forms a pocket 40within which the retractor 31 can be inserted and secured. The outermember 38 can also be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plasticsheet material and can be attached to the body 32 with stitching,adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the outer member 38 is alsobrightly colored so as to be highly visible.

As is apparent from FIG. 2, the outer member 38 is attached to the body32 in a manner in which a relatively small bottom opening 42 (e.g., lessthan approximately two inches wide) and a relatively large top opening44 (e.g., at least two inches wide) are formed. The top opening 44 islarge enough to enable the entire body of the retractor 31 to fit withinthe pocket 40, but the bottom opening 42 is too small to enable theretractor to escape from the bottom of the pocket. By way of example,the bottom opening 42 is formed by partially stitching, adhering, orbonding the bottom edge of the outer member 38 to the body 32. Thebottom opening 42 is large enough, however, to enable a retractabletether 46 to pass through the bottom of the pocket 40. Accordingly, theretractor 31 can be inserted into the pocket 40 through the top openingand the tether 46 can be passed through the bottom opening 42 forconnection to the scaffold wrench 28. Such a configuration isillustrated in FIG. 1A.

Once the retractor 31 has been inserted into the pocket 40, accidentalremoval of the retractor from the pocket is prevented with a closure 50that can be manually opened and closed by the user. In some embodiments,the closure 50 comprises a hook-and-loop closure that includes a strip52 of hook material that is attached to the front side 34 of the body 32and an opposed strip 54 of loop material that is attached to the insideof the outer member 38 (the inverse configuration is possible). Thepocket 40 can therefore be sealed by the user after the retractor 31 hasbeen inserted into the pocket by simply pressing the strip 54 againstthe strip 52.

Attached to the back side 24 of the body 20 are upper and lowerhorizontal fastener straps 56 and 58. In some embodiments, the fastenerstraps 56, 58 comprise hook-and-loop straps made of a fabric or aplastic sheet material that comprise a length of hook material at oneend of the strap and a length of loop material at the opposite end suchthat the ends of the straps can be connected to form a continuous loop.The fastener straps 56, 58 can be stitched, adhered, or bonded to theback side 24 of the body 20 at relatively high and low positions alongthe vertical length of the body and can be at least spaced from eachother a distance that is at least as long as the chest strap 16 of theharness 12 is wide. With such placement, the upper fastener strap 56 canbe wrapped around and secured to the torso strap 14 above the cheststrap 16 and the lower fastener strap 58 can be wrapped around andsecured to the torso strap below the chest strap, as is illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B.

The tool holster 10 can be used to both support a tool (e.g., thescaffold wrench 28) on the user's person and prevent dropping or fallingof the tool. As is shown in FIG. 1A, the tool holster 10 is secured tothe torso strap 14 of the harness so as to be positioned at the user'schest. The wrench 28 is supported by the support element 26 of theholster 10 and is tethered to the holster by the tether 46, whichextends from the retractor 31 held within the pocket 40 of the holster.The wrench 28 can be removed from the holster 10 by pulling the wrenchout from the support element 26. The wrench 28 can then be moved awayfrom the holster 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, and used in the normalfashion. As is shown in FIG. 1B, as the wrench 28 is moved away from theholster 10, the tether 46 of the retractor 31 is extended against theretracing force of its internal spring. If the user were to drop thewrench 28, it would only fall from the holster 10 a distance equal tothe extendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet.Notably, the retractor 31 will remain in place within the pocket 40 insuch a situation because, as described above, the bottom opening of thepocket is too small to enable passage of the retractor through thebottom of the pocket. Furthermore, the retractor 31 will notaccidentally fall out of the pocket 40 through the top opening 44 of thepocket 40 because of the closure 50. However, because the closure 50 canbe opened by the user, the retractor 31 can be removed for replacementshould it become damaged during use.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of a drop prevention toolholster 60. The tool holster 60 is similar in many ways to the holster10 described above in relation to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2. Accordingly,similar components are labeled with similar reference numerals in FIGS.3 and 4 and will not be described again. However, as is apparent fromFIG. 3, the tool holster 60 is adapted to attach to a belt 62 of theuser instead of a body harness. As will be appreciated from thisdisclosure when considered as a whole, each embodiment disclosed hereincan either be adapted to attach to a vertical strap of a harness, to abelt, or to either.

With particular reference to FIG. 4, the body 20 includes a belt loop 64that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, the beltloop 64 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 20 ontoitself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the back side24 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the belt 62can be passed.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a third embodiment of a drop prevention toolholster 70. Like the holster 10, the tool holster 70 is adapted forattachment to a body harness. As is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the toolholster 70 includes a generally flat substrate or body 72 that has afront side 74, a back side 76, and a generally rectangular shape havinga length that is longer than the width. The body 72 can be made of adurable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material.

Attached to the front side 74 of the body 72 is a tool support element78, which is adapted to support one or more tools or other objects. Asis shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the support element 78 can comprise a pieceof durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material that isstitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 72 in a manner in which itforms a pocket 80 that is accessible through a top opening 82. With thisconfiguration, tools or other items can be inserted into and removedfrom the pocket 80 via the opening 82. Optionally provided within thepocket 80, particularly when the body 72 and/or the support element 78are made of a fabric material, is a relatively stiff protective member84 that prevents sharp items from snagging on the inside of the pocketwhen the items are inserted or removed from the pocket. In someembodiments, the protective member 84 comprises an elongated, flat stripof plastic that lines inside the pocket 80 from its front to back. Theprotective member can be attached to the front side 74 of the body 72and can be attached to the inner surface of the support element 78 usingstitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the supportelement 78 is brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

Attached to an outer surface of the support element 78 is a retractorsecuring element 86 that, together with the support element, forms apocket 90 within which a retractor 31 can be inserted and secured. Thesecuring element 86 can also be made of a durable fabric or a non-porousplastic sheet material and can be attached to the support element 78with stitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the securingelement 86 is also brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

As is apparent from FIGS. 5A and 5B, the securing element 86 is attachedto the support element 78 in a manner in which a relatively small topopening 92 and a relatively large bottom opening 94 are formed. Thebottom opening 94 is large enough to enable the entire body of theretractor 31 to fit within the pocket 90, but the top opening 92 is toosmall to enable the retractor 31 to escape from the top of the pocket.By way of example, the top opening 92 is formed by partially stitching,adhering, or bonding the top edge of the securing element 86 to thesupport element 78. The top opening 92 is large enough, however, toenable the retractable tether 46 to pass through the top of the pocket90. Accordingly, the retractor 31 can be inserted into the pocket 90through the bottom opening and the tether 46 can be passed through thetop opening 92 for connection to a tool or other object.

Once the retractor 31 has been inserted into the pocket 90, accidentaldropping of the retractor from the pocket is prevented with a closure 96that can comprise a hook-and-loop closure that includes a strip 98 ofhook material that is attached to the outer surface of the supportelement 78 and an opposed strip 100 of loop material that is attached tothe inside of the securing element 86 (the inverse configuration ispossible). The pocket 90 can therefore be sealed by the user after theretractor 31 has been inserted into the pocket by simply pressing thestrip 100 against the strip 98.

Attached to the back side 76 of the body 72 are upper and lowerhorizontal fastener straps 102 and 104. In some embodiments, thefastener straps 102, 104 comprise hook-and-loop straps made of a fabricor a plastic sheet material that comprise a length of hook material atone end of the strap and a length of loop material at the opposite endsuch that the ends of the straps can be connected to form a continuousloop. The fastener straps 102, 104 can be stitched, adhered, or bondedto the back side 76 of the body 72 at relatively high and low positionsalong the vertical length of the body and can be at least spaced fromeach other a distance that is at least as long as the chest strap 16 ofthe harness 12 is wide. With such placement, the upper fastener strap102 can be wrapped around and secured to a torso strap above a cheststrap and the lower fastener strap 104 can be wrapped around and securedto the torso strap below the chest strap similar to the attachmentarrangement shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B for the holster 10.

The tool holster 70 can be used to both support a tool on the user'sperson and prevent dropping or falling of the tool in similar manner tothe holster 10. Therefore, if the user were to drop the tethered tool,it would only fall from the holster 70 a distance equal to theextendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster110. The tool holster 110 is similar in many ways to the holster 70described above in relation to FIGS. 5A and 5B. Accordingly, similarcomponents are labeled with similar reference numerals in FIG. 6 andwill not be described again. However, as is apparent from FIG. 6, thetool holster 110 is adapted to attach to a belt of the user instead of abody harness. As is shown in FIG. 6, the body 72 includes a belt loop112 that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, thebelt loop 112 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 72onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the backside 76 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the beltcan be passed.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster120, which is adapted for attachment to a body harness. As is shown inFIG. 7, the tool holster 120 includes a substrate or body 122 having afront side 124, a back side 126, and a generally rectangular shapehaving a length that is longer than the width. The body 122 can be madeof a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material.

Attached to the front side 124 of the body 122 is a first or inner toolsupport element 128, which is adapted to support one or more tools orother objects. As is shown in FIG. 7, the inner support element 128 cancomprise a piece of durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheetmaterial that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 122 in amanner in which it forms a pocket 130 that is accessible through a topopening 132. With this configuration, tools or other items can beinserted into and removed from the pocket 130 via the opening 132.Optionally provided within the pocket 130, particularly when the body122 and/or the inner support element 128 are made of a fabric material,is a relatively stiff protective member 133 that prevents sharp itemsfrom snagging on the inside of the pocket when the items are inserted orremoved from the pocket. In some embodiments, the protective member 134comprises an elongated, flat strip of plastic that is attached to thefront side 124 of the body 122 and attached to the inner surface of theinner support element 128 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding.

Attached to the outer surface of the inner support element 128 is asecond or outer tool support element 134, which is adapted to supportone or more other tools or objects. The outer support element 134 canhave a construction similar to the inner support element 128. Therefore,the outer support element 134 can comprise a piece of durable fabric ora non-porous plastic sheet material that is stitched, adhered, or bondedto the inner support element 128 in a manner in which it forms a outerpocket 136 that is accessible through a top opening 138. Optionallyprovided within the pocket 138 is a relatively stiff protective member140 that can comprise an elongated, flat strip of plastic that isattached to the outer surface of the inner support element 128 andattached to the inner surface of the outer support element 134 withstitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments, the outer supportelement 134 is brightly colored so as to be highly visible.

Attached to an outer surface of the outer support element 134 is asecuring element 142 that, together with the outer support element,forms a pocket 144 within which one or two retractors 31 can be insertedand secured. The securing element 142 can also be made of a durablefabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material and can be attached to theouter support element 134 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding. In someembodiments, the securing element 142 is also brightly colored so as tobe highly visible.

As is apparent from FIG. 7, the securing element 142 is attached to theouter support element 134 in a manner in which two relatively small topopenings 145 and a relatively large bottom opening 146 are formed. Thebottom opening 146 is large enough to enable the bodies of theretractors 31 to fit within the pocket 144, but the top openings 144 aretoo small to enable the retractors 31 to escape from the top of thepocket. By way of example, the top openings 145 are formed by partiallystitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge of the securing element 142to the outer support element 134. The top openings 145 are large enough,however, to enable the retractable tethers 46 to pass through the top ofthe pocket 144. Accordingly, the retractors 31 can be inserted into thepocket 144 through the bottom opening 146 and the tethers 46 can bepassed through separate top openings 145 for connection to a tool (apair of pliers 147 and a level 149 in the example illustrated in FIG.7).

Once the retractors 31 have been inserted into the pocket 144,accidental dropping of the retractors from the pocket is prevented witha closure 148 that can comprise a hook-and-loop closure that includes astrip 150 of hook material that is attached to the outer surface of theouter support element 134 and an opposed strip 152 of loop material thatis attached to the inside of the securing element 142 (the inverseconfiguration is possible).

Attached to the back side 126 of the body 122 are upper and lowerhorizontal fastener straps 154 and 156. In some embodiments, thefastener straps 154, 156 comprise hook-and-loop straps made of a fabricor a plastic sheet material that comprise a length of hook material atone end of the strap and a length of loop material at the opposite endsuch that the ends of the straps can be connected to form a continuousloop. The fastener straps 154, 156 can be stitched, adhered, or bondedto the back side 126 of the body 122 at relatively high and lowpositions along the vertical length of the body so that the upperfastener strap 154 can be wrapped around and secured to a torso strapabove a chest strap and the lower fastener strap 156 can be wrappedaround and secured to the torso strap below the chest strap similar tothe attachment arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B for the holster 10.

The tool holster 120 can be used to both support a tool on the user'sperson and prevent dropping or falling of the tool in similar manner tothe holster 10. Therefore, if the user were to drop one of the tetheredtools, it would only fall from the holster 120 a distance equal to theextendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a drop prevention tool holster160. The tool holster 160 is similar in many ways to the holster 120described above in relation to FIG. 7. Accordingly, similar componentsare labeled with similar reference numerals in FIG. 8 and will not bedescribed again. However, as is apparent from FIG. 8, the tool holster160 is adapted to attach to a belt of the user instead of a bodyharness. As is shown in FIG. 8, the body 122 includes a belt loop 162that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, the beltloop 162 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 122 ontoitself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the back side126 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the belt canbe passed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a seventh embodiment of a drop prevention toolholster 170, which is adapted for attachment to a body harness. As isshown in FIG. 9, the tool holster 170 includes a substrate or body 172having a front side 174, a back side 176, and a generally rectangularshape having a length that is longer than the width. The body 172 can bemade of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material.

Attached to the front side 174 of the body 172 is a tool support element178, which is adapted to support a tool, such as a box wrench 180. As isshown in FIG. 9, the support element 178 can comprise a piece of durablefabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material that is stitched, adhered,or bonded to the body 172 in a manner in which it forms a pocket 182that is accessible through a top opening 184. With this configuration,the wrench 180 can be inserted into and removed from the pocket 182 viathe opening 184. In some embodiments, the support element 178 isbrightly colored so as to be highly visible.

Attached to an outer surface of the support element 178 is a retractorsecuring element 186 that, together with the support element, forms apocket 188 within which a retractor 31 can be inserted and secured. Thesecuring element 186 can also be made of a durable fabric or anon-porous plastic sheet material and can be attached to the supportelement 178 with stitching, adhesive, or bonding. In some embodiments,the securing element 186 is also brightly colored so as to be highlyvisible.

As is apparent from FIG. 9, the securing element 186 is attached to thesupport element 178 in a manner in which a relatively small top opening190 and a relatively large bottom opening 192 are formed. The bottomopening 192 is large enough to enable the body of the retractor 31 tofit within the pocket 188, but the top opening 190 is too small toenable the retractor 31 to escape from the top of the pocket. By way ofexample, the top opening 190 is formed by partially stitching, adhering,or bonding the top edge of the securing element 186 to the supportelement 178. The top opening 190 is large enough, however, to enable theretractable tether 46 to pass through the top of the pocket 188.Accordingly, the retractor 31 can be inserted into the pocket 188through the bottom opening 192 and the tether 46 can be passed throughthe top opening 190 for connection to the wrench 180.

Once the retractor 31 has been inserted into the pocket 188, accidentaldropping of the retractor from the pocket is prevented with a closure194 that can comprise a hook-and-loop closure that includes a strip 196of hook material that is attached to the outer surface of the supportelement 178 and an opposed strip 198 of loop material that is attachedto the inside of the securing element 186 (the inverse configuration ispossible).

Attached to the back side 176 of the body 172 are upper and lowerhorizontal fastener straps 200 and 202. In some embodiments, thefastener straps 200, 202 comprise hook-and-loop straps made of a fabricor a plastic sheet material that comprise a length of hook material atone end of the strap and a length of loop material at the opposite endsuch that the ends of the straps can be connected to form a continuousloop. The fastener straps 200, 202 can be stitched, adhered, or bondedto the back side 176 of the body 172 at relatively high and lowpositions along the vertical length of the body so that the upperfastener strap 200 can be wrapped around and secured to a torso strapabove a chest strap and the lower fastener strap 202 can be wrappedaround and secured to the torso strap below the chest strap similar tothe attachment arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B for the holster 10.

The tool holster 170 can be used to both support a tool on the user'sperson and prevent dropping or falling of the tool in similar manner tothe holster 10. Therefore, if the user were to drop the tethered tool,it would only fall from the holster 170 a distance equal to theextendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet.

With further reference to FIG. 9, provided near the top end of the body172 is a magnet 204 that can be used to support the wrench 180 outsideof its pocket 182. For example, the wrench 180 can be magneticallycoupled with the magnet 204 so that the wrench is maintained in agenerally horizontal orientation above the pocket 182, as is depictedwith phantom lines in FIG. 9. With such capability, the tool holster 170not only supports a tool but further functions as a productivity device.In some embodiments, the magnet 204 is secured in place near the top ofthe body 172 with a strip 206 of material, such as fabric material, thatis stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body. Shifting of the magnet 204within the strip 206 can be prevented by providing further stitching,adhesive, or bonding around the edges of the magnet.

FIG. 10 illustrates an eighth embodiment of a drop prevention toolholster 210. The tool holster 210 is similar in many ways to the holster170 described above in relation to FIG. 9. Accordingly, similarcomponents are labeled with similar reference numerals in FIG. 10 andwill not be described again. However, as is apparent from FIG. 10, thetool holster 210 is adapted to attach to a belt of the user instead of abody harness. As is shown in FIG. 10, the body 172 includes a belt loop212 that is formed at a top end of the body. In some embodiments, thebelt loop 212 is formed by folding over a top portion of the body 172onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the top edge to the backside 176 of the body to form a horizontal opening through which the beltcan be passed.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a ninth embodiment of a drop preventiontool holster 220, which is adapted for attachment to a belt. As is shownin the figures, the tool holster 220 includes a substrate or body 222having a front side 224, a back side 226, and a generally rectangularshape having a length that is longer than the width. The body 222 can bemade of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material. In someembodiments, the body 222 has an internal reinforcement member (notshown) that provides strength to the body and internal padding thatdampens impact of tools supported by the holster 220.

Attached to the front side 224 of the body 222 is a tool support element228, which is adapted to support a tool, such as a tape measure 230. Asis shown in FIG. 11A, the support element 228 can comprise a horizontalstrip of material that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 222in a manner in which it forms a slot 232 that is adapted to receive aclip 234 of the tape measure 230 in order to support the tape measure onthe holster 220, as depicted in FIG. 11B.

Attached to the front side 224 of the body 222 is a retractor securingelement 236 that, together with the body, forms a pocket 237 withinwhich a retractor 31 can be inserted and secured. The securing element236 can also be made of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheetmaterial and can be attached to the body 222 with stitching, adhesive,or bonding.

As is apparent from FIG. 11A, the securing element 236 is attached tothe body 222 in a manner in which a relatively small top opening 238 anda relatively large bottom opening 240 are formed. The bottom opening 240is large enough to enable the body of the retractor 31 to fit within thepocket 237, but the top opening 238 is too small to enable the retractor31 to escape from the top of the pocket. By way of example, the topopening 238 is formed by partially stitching, adhering, or bonding thetop edge of the securing element 236 to the body 222. The top opening238 is large enough, however, to enable the retractable tether 46 topass through the top of the pocket 237. Accordingly, the retractor 31can be inserted into the pocket 237 through the bottom opening 240 andthe tether 46 can be passed through the top opening 238 for connectionto the tape measure 230.

Once the retractor 31 has been inserted in to the pocket 237, accidentaldropping of the retractor from the pocket is prevented with a closure242 that can comprise a hook-and-loop closure that includes a strip 244of hook material that is attached to the front side 224 of the body 222and an opposed strip 246 of loop material that is attached to the insideof the securing element 236 (the inverse configuration is possible).

As mentioned above, the tool holster 220 is adapted to attach to a beltof the user instead of a body harness. Therefore the body 222 includes abelt loop 248 that is formed at a top end of the body. In someembodiments, the belt loop 248 is formed by folding over a top portionof the body 222 onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the topedge to the back side 226 of the body to form a horizontal openingthrough which the belt can be passed. It is noted, however, that theholster 220 could instead have fastener straps as do other embodimentsthat have been described above to enable the holster to be attached to avertical strap of a harness instead of a belt.

The tool holster 220 can be used to both support a tool on the user'sperson and prevent dropping or falling of the tool in similar manner tothe holster 10. Therefore, if the user were to drop the tape measure230, it would only fall from the holster 220 a distance equal to theextendible length of the tether 46, for example two or three feet.

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate a tenth embodiment of a drop prevention toolholster 250, which is adapted for attachment to a belt. As is shown inthe figures, the tool holster 250 includes a substrate or body 252having a front side 254, a back side 256, and a generally rectangularshape having a length that is longer than the width. The body 252 can bemade of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material. In someembodiments, the body 252 has an internal reinforcement member (notshown) that provides strength to the body and internal padding thatdampens impact of tools supported by the holster 250.

Attached to the front side 254 of the body 252 is a tool support element258, which is adapted to support a tool, such as a hammer 260. As isshown in FIG. 12A, the support element 258 can comprise a horizontalpiece of material that is stitched, adhered, or bonded to the body 252in a manner in which it forms an opening 262 that is adapted to receivethe handle of the hammer 260 in order to support the hammer on theholster 250, as is depicted in FIG. 12B. In some embodiments, thesupport element 258 is a leather strap. Provided on an outer surface ofthe support element 258 is a first fastening element 264, such as afirst strip of hook material. A second fastening element 266, such as asecond strip of hook material, is attached to the front side of the body252 near its top end.

Also attached to the front side 254 of the body 252 is a retaining strap268. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining strap 268 is attachedto the body 252 at a point between the support element 258 and thesecond fastening element 266. The retaining strap 268 can comprise aflexible strip of material, such as a fabric material, to which isattached on both sides of the strip further fastening elements 270, suchas strips of loop material. As is shown in FIG. 12B, the retaining strap268 can be attached to the support element 258 when the hammer 260 issupported by the support element to prevent the hammer from falling outof the holster 250. When the retaining strap 268 is not needed to securethe hammer 260, the strap can be attached to the second fasteningelement 266, as is shown in FIG. 12C.

Unlike the previously-described embodiments, the holster 250 does notinclude a retractor securing element within which a retractor can beinserted and secured. Instead, the holster 250 includes a ring 272 that,for example, is attached to the body 252 near its top end. The ring 272may be configured as a D-ring and is adapted to receive a tether, suchas the coiled tether 274 shown in FIGS. 12A-12C. The tether 274 can beattached to the ring 272 at one end and attached to hammer 260 at theother end using a further ring that is attached to the hammer (notshown).

As mentioned above, the tool holster 250 is adapted to attach to a beltof the user instead of a body harness. Therefore, the body 252 includesa belt loop 276 that is formed at a top end of the body. In someembodiments, the belt loop 276 is formed by folding over a top portionof the body 252 onto itself and stitching, adhering, or bonding the topedge to the back side 256 of the body to form a horizontal openingthrough which the belt can be passed. It is noted, however, that theholster 250 could instead have fastener straps as do other embodimentsthat have been described above to enable the holster to be attached to aharness instead of a belt.

In the above-described embodiments, the tool holsters have been eitheradapted to attach to a vertical strap of a body harness or to attach toa belt, but not both. FIG. 13 illustrates a hybrid drop prevention toolholster 280 that is similar in design to the holster 110 shown in FIG. 6except that the holster 280 can either be attached to a harness or abelt. It is noted that the alternative attachment capability describedbelow in relation to FIG. 13 can be incorporated into any of theembodiments described herein. Therefore, the embodiment shown in FIG. 13is presented to describe a means for attaching a holster to a harness ora belt irrespective of the particular features of the holster.

As is shown in FIG. 13, the body 72 of the holster 280 includes a beltloop 112 that is formed at a top end of the body. In addition to thebelt loop 112, however, the holster 280 also includes upper and lowerhorizontal fastener straps 282 and 284 that enable the holster to beattached to a vertical strap of a harness. In some embodiments, thefastener straps 282, 284 comprise hook-and-loop straps. The upperfastener strap 282 can be stitched, adhered, or bonded to the portion ofthe body 72 that forms the belt loop 112, and the lower fastener strap284 can be stitched, adhered, or bonded to the back side 76 of the body72 below the upper fastener strap so as to provide enough space for ahorizontal strap.

If the tool holster 280 is to be worn on a vertical strap of a harness,the upper fastener strap 282 can be wrapped around and secured to atorso strap above a chest strap and the lower fastener strap 284 can bewrapped around and secured to the torso strap below the chest strapsimilar to the attachment arrangement shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B for theholster 10. If the tool holster 280 will only be worn on a belt,however, the user can optionally cut off the upper fastener strap 282,as well as the lower fastener strap 284, if desired. As a variation onthe embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, the upper fastener strap 282 canbe independent of the body 72 and can instead be merely passed throughthe belt loop 112 and then wrapped around the vertical strap of theharness.

Several tool holster embodiments have been described in this disclosure.As mentioned above, several alternative embodiments are possible. In onesuch alternative embodiment, the closure used to secure the retractorpocket can be a closure other than a hook-and-loop closure. For example,the closure can comprise a snap closure or other equivalent closure.

1. A tool holster comprising: a body having a front side and a rearside; a tool support element attached to the front side of the body, thetool support being adapted to support a tool; a retractor securingelement defining a pocket in which the retractor can be secured, thepocket having a first opening that is large enough to enable theretractor to pass and an opposed second opening that is too small toenable the retractor to pass but large enough for a tether of theretractor to pass; and means for attaching the holster to a body harnessor a belt.
 2. The holster of claim 1, wherein the body comprises agenerally flat substrate.
 3. The holster of claim 1, wherein the body ismade of a durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material.
 4. Theholster of claim 1, wherein the tool support element comprises ahorizontal strap that forms an opening through which a handle of thetool can be passed.
 5. The holster of claim 1, wherein the tool supportelement forms a pocket in which the tool can be inserted.
 6. The holsterof claim 5, further comprising a protective member that is providedwithin the pocket of the tool support element.
 7. The holster of claim7, wherein the protective member comprises a strip of plastic that issecured to the body and the tool support element.
 8. The holster ofclaim 5, further comprising a second tool support element attached tothe first tool support element, the second tool support element forminga second pocket in which a second tool can be inserted.
 9. The holsterof claim 8, wherein the retractor support element is attached to anouter surface of the second tool support element.
 10. The holster ofclaim 1, wherein the tool support element comprises a horizontal stripof material that forms an opening through which a clip of the tool canbe passed.
 11. The holster of claim 5, wherein the retractor securingelement is attached to an outer surface of the tool support element. 12.The holster of claim 1, wherein the first opening is positioned at thetop of the pocket and the second opening is positioned at the bottom ofthe pocket.
 13. The holster of claim 1, wherein the first opening ispositioned at the bottom of the pocket and the second opening ispositioned at the top of the pocket.
 14. The holster of claim 1, whereinthe first opening comprises a closure adapted to prevent the retractorfrom falling out of the pocket.
 15. The holster of claim 14, wherein theclosure is a hook-and-loop closure.
 16. The holster of claim 1, whereinthe means for attaching the holster comprises a horizontal strapattached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wraparound a vertical strap of a body harness.
 17. The holster of claim 1,wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formedon the back side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt.18. The holster of claim 1, wherein the means for attaching the holstercomprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loopbeing adapted to receive a belt and further comprises a horizontal strapattached to the back side of the body, the strap being adapted to wraparound a vertical strap of a body harness.
 19. The holster of claim 1,further comprising a magnet attached to the body, the magnet beingadapted to support the tool on the body when the tool is not supportedby the tool support element.
 20. A tool holster comprising: a bodyhaving a front side and a rear side; a horizontal strap attached to thefront side of the body, the strap forming an opening through which ahandle of a tool can be passed; a retaining strap attached to the frontside of the body that secures to the horizontal strap to secure the toolwhen supported by the horizontal strap; and means for attaching theholster to a body harness or a belt.
 21. The holster of claim 20,wherein the retraining strap comprises a first strip of fasteningmaterial and the horizontal strap comprises a second strip of fasteningmaterial adapted to mate with the first strip of fastening material. 22.A drop prevention tool holster comprising: a body having a front sideand a rear side, the body comprising a generally flat substrate made ofa durable fabric or a non-porous plastic sheet material; a tool supportelement that forms a pocket in which a tool can be inserted; a retractorsecuring element attached to an outer surface of the tool supportelement, the securing element defining a pocket in which the retractorcan be secured, the pocket having a first opening that is large enoughto enable the retractor to pass and an opposed second opening that istoo small to enable the retractor to pass but large enough for a tetherof the retractor to pass; and means provided on the rear side of thebody for attaching the holster to a body harness or a belt.
 23. Theholster of claim 22, further comprising a protective member that isprovided within the pocket, the protective member comprising a strip ofplastic that is secured to the body and the tool support element. 24.The holster of claim 22, wherein the tool support element is a secondtool support element and wherein the second tool support element isattached to a first tool support element which is attached to the body,the first tool support element also forming a pocket in which a tool canbe inserted.
 25. The holster of claim 22, wherein the first opening ispositioned at the top of the pocket and the second opening is positionedat the bottom of the pocket.
 26. The holster of claim 22, wherein thefirst opening is positioned at the bottom of the pocket and the secondopening is positioned at the top of the pocket.
 27. The holster of claim22, wherein the first opening comprises a hook-and-loop closure adaptedto prevent the retractor from falling out of the pocket.
 28. The holsterof claim 22, wherein the means for attaching the holster comprises ahorizontal strap attached to the back side of the body, the strap beingadapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a body harness.
 29. Theholster of claim 22, wherein the means for attaching the holstercomprises a belt loop formed on the back side of the body, the loopbeing adapted to receive a belt.
 30. The holster of claim 22, whereinthe means for attaching the holster comprises a belt loop formed on theback side of the body, the loop being adapted to receive a belt andfurther comprises a horizontal strap attached to the back side of thebody, the strap being adapted to wrap around a vertical strap of a bodyharness.
 31. The holster of claim 22, further comprising a magnetattached to the body, the magnet being adapted to support the tool onthe body when the tool is not supported by the tool support element.